Lombok has several smaller islands off its coasts called the gilis. From various gilis you can visit, Gili Trawangan is the largest and most developed. Gili Trawangan trip Lombok is often recommended for travelers who want to enjoy island delight with complete facilities. Here are things you can do in Gili Trawangan and how you can get there.
About Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan is one of the three major gilis in the northwest of Lombok. The island used to be the place for prisoners during the Japanese occupation era in World War Two. The island later became a stopover for Bugis sailors in their sea journeys. After 1971, Lombok governor Wasita Kusama opened coconut plantations, and immigrants from other areas started to visit.
In the 1980’s, backpackers and divers started to notice the island, thanks to the rising popularity of the neighboring Bali. The government started to develop the island in the 1990’s, following the tourism development in Bali and mainland Lombok.
Now, Gili Trawangan is a home for around 1,500 people, with various facilities and infrastructures to support booming tourism. One unique thing about this island is the lack of a motorized vehicle, so everyone must use a bicycle or horse-drawn carriage (cidomo).
Activities in Gili Trawangan
Here are things you can do after arriving on the island:
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Diving and snorkeling
Despite the development, Gili Trawangan still has good spots to do snorkeling and diving. There are about 25 diving spots around the island. Meanwhile, snorkeling can be done in almost anywhere.
There are also diving spots near Bio Rocks, which are conservation projects set up by Gili Eco Trust. You can see artificial rocks that were planted underwater to become habitats for underwater creatures.
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Biking and horse-riding
Biking around the island and coastline is a great way to explore Gili Trawangan. If you want more adventure, you can ride a horse with a guide from Stud Stables. Riding the horse toward the coastline will make you feel adventurous.
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Enjoying grilled seafood
Gili Trawangan has a lot of seafood restaurants. You can enjoy freshly-grilled fish while enjoying the beach view. However, if you feel adventurous, try pelecing chicken and kangkung (watercress), Lombok traditional foods famous for their rich spices and hot flavor.
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Seeing the turtles
Gili Trawangan has a turtle conservation center ran entirely by locals. They bring turtle eggs to the special hatchery and release the baby turtles to the sea. You can visit, ask questions, and take pictures of the eggs and baby turtles.
Feeling lazy? Feel free to just slather some SPF cream and enjoy sunbathing on the beach. You can also rent a kayak or have fun at one of the island’s beach clubs and cafes.
How to Visit Gili Trawangan
You can reach Gili Trawangan by Bali Gili Fastboat from Padang Bai Port in Bali or Bangsal Port in mainland Lombok. The trip is short and cheap, especially if you use the public boat. However, you need to wait for the boat to full before it departs, so expect to wait.
Want to plan your trip more easily? Bali Princess Tour also offers Bali Gili Fastboat ticket to Lombok, including Gili Trawangan. With this , you can arrange Gili Trawangan trip Lombok easily, within your own schedules.